Fashion Rebel concludes an exclusive 3-part feature for the month.
Introducing your RMIT Bachelor of Design (Fashion) Students…
would you please welcome Fiona Torcasio…
Fiona Torcasio’s vision is clear, her attitude is modest and the versatility of her designs are distinguishable. She wakes up each morning with a strong sense of purpose. Her lifestyle is active, on the go and she moves confidently. People stare. They are drawn to the luxury statement of her casual dress. Her look is practical, comfortable and transitional. 
Understanding her clientele and designing with a social conscious is a practice which pays in trust and respect. As graduation approaches, Fiona explains that not all small-scale Australian labels are successfully producing garments of a high quality. Designers are showing complete disregard for serious environmental issues facing the current market. Fiona reveals that discarded clothing is responsible for making up a large proportion of landfills, a problem that consumers and manufacturers aren’t considering. Encouraging buyers to develop a more caring and responsible attitude is a ethos that will help the environment and secure more jobs in the future.
Fiona’s collection invites the wearer to engage with each garment and establish a trusting relationship. The creation of an elegant and fashionable line that will see buyers through multiple seasons, is one that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Fiona has gained tremendous respect for her final assessment which exhibits a true connection to functional, high quality womenswear.
Fiona Torcasio is currently seeking employment within the industry.
Email: fee_torcasio@yahoo.com.au
Photography by: Will Lukaitis
Model: Georgie Kidman
Hair & Makeup: Phoebe Goulding
How would you describe your own personal style? Is that reflected in your designs?
My personal style follows a lot of what I value in clothing. I look to comfort, practicality and versatility. Although I may not wear a lot of what I design, I am designing for young women like myself, who lead an active life-style and need their clothing to reflect this. It’s what I know.
What are your main sources of inspiration?
I find myself drawing inspiration from the body and its connection with clothing. I have always played sport and when designing I look to elements of movement, comfort and performance. I see form and function as equally important so technically I try to push my work to balance these aspects. Australia’s sporting culture and identity strongly influence my work.
What are your thoughts on mass-produced clothing? How do you think Australian designers can counteract this? Is it about pricing, educating buyers etc.
Mass-produced clothing will always be around as it caters for a large sector of the Australian market. It’s the quality versus quantity debate. On the other hand, not all small-scale labels are successfully producing high quality garments. Discarded clothing makes up a large proportion of landfill. This means that educating buyers to develop a more caring, respectful and socially responsible attitude regarding the environment is crucial.
How important is it to support local trade in your opinion?
I think it’s extremely important and it shouldn’t stop at the fashion industry. It’s comforting to know that a product is being designed and produced locally, that sales will benefit our economy and in turn buy us jobs for the future. Unfortunately many of us purchase offshore products due to the large gaps in the Australian market.
Which Australian designers do you aspire to?
Arnsdorf and Gary Bigeni are favourites of mine. They are labels with a strong sense of purpose. They invite the wearer to engage with each garment and they enrich the wearer with a feeling of confidence and beauty. They maintain a high standard in design, construction and quality and as a result, a trusting a loyal relationship occurs between them and their customer.
What fashion publications and blogs do you read?
I love Sport & Street (Collezioni), i-D, Oyster and Fallen magazines. Online I read Portable and Three Thousand – I find these two resources diverse and creative in their coverage of fashion, art, music, film, and more.
*First image by Phillip Papadis
*Model: Maria of Scene Models
